BULAWAYO Zimbabwes top gospel musician, Olivia Charamba, said she and her husband, Charles Charamba, would continue to sing at Zanu (PF)-organized musical galas, despite criticism from their fans. Olivia and her husband were some of the musicians who featured at President Robert Mugabes 86th birthday musical gala which was held Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) grounds in Bulawayo two weeks ago. The gala also featured Jamaican reggae artist Sizzla.
South Africa musicians Mzwakhe Mbuli and Soul Brothers were also invited to the gala but were reported to have pulled out at the last minute after pressure from their managers. After the Mugabe gala there was also an outcry from many gospel fans who blasted the Charambas for attending the gala saying the two shouldnt have graced a birthday party for Mugabe who has been torturing and killing many Zimbabweans belonging to opposition parties since in 1980 when he took power.
Asked by The Zimbabwean to respond to their fans outcry, Olivia Charamba said: We dont care about that and we will continue attending Zanu (PF) galas. Those who are saying that are not our fans and are just some bogus people.
Lately, formerly idolised musicians like the late Simon Chimbetu, Plaxedes Wenyika, Andy Brown, Tambaoga, Sister Flame, Brian Mteki and a host of others saw their sales plummeting because of their association with Zanu (PF).
Most people saw them as endorsing a Zanu PF government that was abusing power and basic human rights and boycotted their shows and albums Simba Chakafa, a gospel fan of Nkulumane suburb, said it was disheartening to see the Charambas, who for years has ostensibly resisted alignment to any political party, now taking this route.
Post published in: Music